Hong Kong Mini Rugby Football Union (HKMRFU) was established in the 1980s and has since grown to include15 active clubs and over 2000 children (both Boys and Girls) under the age of 12. Accompanied by their parents, these children play rugby each Sunday morning from September to April* - a mixture of local and expatriate children enjoying the benefits of being outdoors and playing sport on grass pitches. For the Mums and Dads there is the opportunity to help coach or referee, or join in with the fun of helping to run a club for the benefit of their children. Or of course, if that part is not for you, just watch your children learning to play rugby and developing.

The philosophy of Mini rugby: To teach children through learning to play rugby, co-ordination, ball handling skills and team sport participation leading to the development of decision making and leadership skills in a non-threatening and fun environment.

How is this achieved? By the gentle but progressive building up of the skills and knowledge required to play the game. The rules, based very much on the "Grown-up's Game", have been tailored to suit the abilities, stature and strength of children as they space and develop year by year into young people; tomorrow's leaders, sports men and women and parents.

Where and when? Every Sunday morning at locations all over Hong Kong. In addition to the Sunday training, several large Festivals are held where all 15 clubs come together for the day in a celebration of rugby, played in a wonderful friendly spirit. There are also occasional overseas tours organised, but the highlight of the season is the Cathay Pacific / Credit Suisse First Boston Hong Kong Sevens held in March each year. Here some of the children get to play curtain raiser games in the Hong Kong Stadium itself, in front of the gathering rugby fans.

Want to know more? The above link "Age Groupings" tells you how old your child needs to be and in what age group he/she will play. You can also find out where the nearest Mini Rugby club is to you on the map of Hong Kong from the link "Where To Play" and follow the link to individual club's web page for further information. Interested in how the game develops year by year? Then take a look at the "Laws of Mini Rugby".

Some of the Chinese clubs play all year round.